WILL LG OLED TVS RULE 2018 AS THEY DID LAST YEAR?

8th March, 2018

2017 was the year that LG took significant market share away from Samsung, and this is likely to continue in 2018 as LG’s OLED TVs becomes more affordable.

At the same time, LG is upping the performance and style stakes in high-end TVs.

OLED TVs are forecast to see sales of 2.5 million units this year, up from 1.6 million in 2017.

OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, a purely emissive technology. An OLED display works without a backlight because it emits visible light. Thus, it can display deep black levels and can be thinner and lighter than a liquid crystal display (LCD). In low ambient light conditions (such as a dark room), an OLED screen can achieve a higher contrast ratio than an LCD, regardless of whether the LCD uses fluorescent lamps or an LED backlight.

LG is the only company in the world making OLED panels, so when you see B&O, Philips, Panasonic and Sony with OLED models, remember that they use LG technology.

Don’t be fooled by Samsung’s QLED and Hisense ULED terminology, these are deliberately designed to mislead consumers and are standard backlit LCD tech, although well done.

LG is making a lot of noise about the new chipsets that power the features and picture processing of the TVs.

The new Alpha 9 chip is remarkably powerful and drives LG’s new ThinQ AI which employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) to deliver intelligent voice-activated control and connectivity based on LG’s exclusive deep learning platform, Deep ThinQ® (confirmed for Australia).

All models also have Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice and 'Smart Home' hub compatibility.

In picture terms, LG claims the A9 will improve contrast, colour, sharpness and noise reduction. It also offers comprehensive support of high dynamic range formats including Dolby Vision®, Advanced HDR by Technicolor® plus HDR10 and HLG. HDR images are dynamically processed frame by frame using LG’s proprietary algorithm, Enhanced Dynamic Tone mapping. Even better all the 2018 sets get built-in auto-calibration functionality.

LG continues to be at the forefront of the global display industry by offering consumers the best possible viewing experience with technologies such as ThinQ® AI and advanced industry-leading processors.

Ten 2018 models will be shipping in 55, 65 and 77-inch versions between now and June.

LG SIGNATURE ‘Wallpaper’ W8 OLED TV with A9 Processor

These stunning ultra-slim sets are what LG calls ‘Picture On Wall’ TVs, and indeed they are so astonishingly thin, they can be flush-mounted. The TV inputs, processing technology and audio, are all in a smart console soundbar that sits under the set. Powered pop-up speakers at each end of the bar help deliver over 60 watts of Dolby Atmos sound.

Models: 65-inch $7,999 USD, 77-inch $14,999 USD

G8 ‘One Glass Screen’ OLED with A9 Processor

The sole 65-inch G8 is essentially the same tech as the W8 in simple glass tabletop design, with the screen mounted on an ultra-thin glass backplate. Very sleek indeed, usefully more affordable and an alternative format that will appeal to many people.

Model: 65-inch $5,499 USD

E8 ‘Picture On Glass’ OLED with A9 Processor

The more affordable E8 series keeps the OLED panel and Alpha 9 picture processing from the G8/W8 in a simpler body structure with a relatively well-hidden soundbar.

Models: 55-inch $3,499 USD, 65-inch $4,499.99 USD

C8 ‘Blade Slim’ Budget Buster OLED with A9 Processor

The C8 series is the bargain of this year's ranges, with all the fancy OLED panel and Alpha 9 picture processing goodness at really low (for OLED) prices.

B8 ‘Blade Slim’ OLED with A7 Processor

Finally, the most affordable B8 range sacrifices some performance for the price, using a less powerful processor, the Alpha 7. However, the picture is still remarkable for the price, which is the crucial selling point of this “Entry Level OLED” series.

Models: 55-inch, 65-inch - Pricing TBA

GadgetNET says: Most of the differences between these ten sets comes down to style and sound quality. We say buy the 55-inch C8 set, pair it with a good Dolby Atmos AV Receiver and Speakers and you will get the very best picture and very serious sound.

Gallery

Written by:

Rob Follis has been writing about tech on and off for over 40 years, is a designer, photographer, information omnivore, gadget-head, Hi-Fi afficionado, owner of far far too many things and sadly an unsuccessful app developer. A born & bred Londoner now happily living in Melbourne. Email Rob.

Get the latest.

Sign up to discover the best news and review from GadgetNET in our FREE Newsletter.